^73 



MS 




U U lO 1^ 






i: KIM) li I 



l!l(.. iiKN \\\^ \ ^1 ^ Aiil.KF 



\ i; M 



T ]\A V () roM A i 



\ I ■ I \ I^' 



MAY aa. '^^l:it:^ 



J^' 



REPORT 



BPJG. GEN. HENRY M. NAGLEE. 



COMMANDING FIRST BRIGADE, CASEY'S DIVISION, 



(.S,A-r^M. ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,/ f^Wij^J 



OF THE PART TAKEN BY HIS BRIGADE IN 



THE BATTLE OF SEYEN PINES. 



MAY 31, 1862. 



WITH AN APPENDIX, 
CONTAINING THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. CASEY. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
COLLINS, PEINTER, 705 JAYNE STREET. 
'' 18 62. 



BATTLE OF SEYEN PINES. 



LIEUTENANT: 

Before alluding to the occurrences of the 31st 
of May, it would probably add to a better understand- 
ing of the subject to refer to the advance of my 
Brigade on the 24th, 25th, and 26th, a week previous. 
Having crossed the E,. E,. Bridge, and examined 
the Chickahoniiny from the R. R. to Bottom's Bridge 
on the 20th, and rriade a reconnoissance from the 
"Chimneys" near Bottom's Bridge, to within two 
miles of the James River on Ihe Quaker Road, on 
the 23d, Gen. McOlellan ordered me to make a recon- 
noissance of the road and country by the Willjamsburg 
Road, as far as the Seven Pines, on Saturday the 24th, 
with instructions, " if possible, to advance to the 
' Seven Pines,' or the forks of the direct road to 
Richmond, and the road turning to the right into the 
road leading from ' New Bridge' to Richmond, and to 
hold that point, if practicable." Under these instruc- 
tions, with the addition of two batteries of Col. 
Bailey's N. Y. 1 st Artillery, and Col. Gregg's Cavalry^ 
we pushed the reconnoissance, not without considera- 



ble opposition, to the " Seven Pines" on the day refer 
red to; one mile and a half beyond the "Pines" on the 
following day, and to a line perpendicular to the rail- 
road from Richmond to AVest Point, intersecting it 
midway between the fifth and sixth mile posts, on 
the day following the last; and on the day after, the 
27th, extended it across to the "Nine Mile road" 
where it is intersected by the road to Garnett's house, 
and thence by this road bearing to the right; our 
picket lines extended to the Chickahominy. This 
line, from the river across the Rail Road to the 
Williamsburg road, about three miles long, was pick- 
eted at first by the First Brigade, and afterwards by 
Casey's Division, but placed more directly under the 
charge and protection of the regiments of the First 
Brigade, which were encamped along its entire length 
for that purpose. 

The picket line proposed to be kept up, and the 
supports to the same, from the left of the above 
picket line on the Williamsburg road to the White 
Oak Swamp, were especially intrusted to Gen. Couch. 

This was the line of our advance on Saturday the 
81st of May, at 12 M., when two shells thrown into 
our camp first announced the hostile intentions of the 
enemy. No alarm was felt by any one, for it was 
seldom that twenty-four hours passed that we did not 
exchange similar salutations. 

Soon after it was reported that an attack was im- 
pending, the usual orders were issued, and within 



half an hour the troops moved to positions that were 
assigned to them by Gen. Casey. 

Being at this time on the " Nine Mile road," near 
a breast-work fronting the " Old Tavern" then under 
construction, and judging, from the discharges of mus- 
ketry becoming frequent, that something serious was 
intended, I hastened in the direction indicated by the 
fire, and soon arrived upon the ground, on the Wil- 
liamsburg road, about three-quarters of a mile in front 
of the " Seven Pines," where I found Gen Casey, who 
had placed the 100th N. Y., Col. Brown, on the left 
of that road, behind a field of large timber that had 
been cut down. On the right of the same road was 
placed Capt. Spratt's N. Y. battery of 4 pieces. On 
the right of this were three companies of the 11th 
Maine, Col. Plaisted, and on the right of the 11th 
Maine were eight companies of the 104th Penna., 
Col. Davis. Four companies of the 11th Maine were 
on picket duty, but, being driven in, formed with the 
56th N. Y., Lt.-Col. Jaudan, at his encampment, in 
line of battle, parallel with and about 800 yards in 
rear of the picket line, 200 yards to the left of the 
Rail Road. Col. Dodge's 52d Penna., supporting the 
picket line on the extreme right, formed at his en- 
campment on the Nine Mile road three-quarters of a 
mile in rear of the large Garnett field. The remain- 
ing companies of the 104th Pa. and 11th Maine were 
on picket duty along the large field in the direction 
of the Chickahominy. 



6 

Soon after my arrival upon the ground — about one 
o'clock P. M. — the fire then being frequent, and from 
the direction of the main Richmond stage road, Gen. 
Casey gave an order to the 100th N. Y., and 104th 
Pa., and 11th Maine, to charge, when, as reported by 
Col. Davis, the regiments sprang forward " towards 
" the enemy with a tremendous yell. In our way was 
" a high worm fence which cut our former line of 
" battle, but the boys sprang over it, into the same 
" inclosure with the enemy, where we formed and re- 
" newed the fight. The battle now raged with great 
"fury, and the firing was much hotter than before. 
" Spratt's battery during this time had kept up a 
"lively fire in the same direction. At about 3 P. M., 
" the enemy being largely reinforced, pressed us in 
"front and flank, and seeing that we could not hold 
" our position much longer, unless reinforced, I dis- 
" patched an officer to Gen. Casey for that purpose. 
" The Colonel of the 100th N. Y. being killed, the 
"Colonel of 104th severely wounded, the Major 
"mortally wounded, the Lieutenant-Colonel absent, 
"half of our men having been killed or wounded, 
"the enemy, ten times our number, within a few 
" feet of us, one of them striking Sergeant Porter, 
" the left guide of the 104th, over the neck with his 
" musket, several of the 11th Maine being bayoneted, 
"and receiving no reinforcements, we were ordered, 
" with ' Spratt's' battery, to retire ; but, unfortunately, 



" the horses of one of the pieces being killed, we were 
" compelled to abandon that piece." 

The enemy endeavored to follow up this success, 
and was advancing in closed columns, when, our 
troops having been sufficiently withdrawn. Col. Bailey, 
of the 1st N. Y. Artillery, at my request, directed the 
fire of the batteries of Fitch and Bates, situated in 
and near the redoubt, to be concentrated upon the 
advancing mass. At every discharge of grape and 
canister wide gaps were opened in his ranks, which 
were filled as soon as opened; still he pressed on, 
until, after many trials, with immense loss, finding 
that he was " advancing into the very jaws of death," 
with sullen hesitation he concluded to desist at this 
point. 

I congratulated Col. Bailey upon his gallant con- 
duct and good services, as above described, and sug- 
gested that in the event of being compelled to aban- 
don another piece, he should instruct his gunners to 
spike before leaving it. He went into the redoubt to 
give these orders, when he was shot by a rifle ball 
through the forehead, and died a few minutes after, 
the State losing a gallant soldier, and his artillerymen 
a friend to whom they were entirely devoted. 

Soon after this. Major Van Valkenburgh, of the 
same artillery, was killed by a rifle ball whilst actively 
engaged in working these batteries, and, but a little 
while after, Lieut. Bumsey, the Adjufant, in the same 
manner. All of the field and stafl" officers being killed, 



I assumed the direction of the batteries composing 
the 1st N. Y. Artillery. 

No reinforcements having been sent to us, and de- 
sirous of following up the success above referred to, 
about 32 P. M. I rode to the rear, and led up the 
55th N. Y., Lt.-Col. Thourote, and placed it in line 
perpendicular to the Williamsburg road, about fifty 
yards in advance of the redoubt, the left resting a 
short distance from the road. Before getting into 
position they were compelled to march over the bodies 
of their killed and wounded comrades, and soon after- 
wards found themselves fully engaged. Leaving the 
55th, my attention was directed towards the right, 
where I found the 56th N. Y. with the 11th Maine, 
who, after four hours' contest, had fallen back about 
four hundred yards, and were again placed by me, at 
four hours and ten minutes, in a depression in the 
ground, about midway between the Williamsburg 
road and the railroad, and about three hundred yards 
in front of the Nine Mile road. Near by I found 
the 52d Pa., which had been ordered from the right, 
and I placed them in echellon to the right, and front 
of the 56th, with the right resting upon and in rear 
of a large pond. At this time the fire here had con- 
siderably slackened, but was increasing on the left. 
Returning, in about an hour, to the left, I found the 
55th engaged to their utmost extent, and ascertained 
for the first time' that the enemy had discovered, what 
I had long feared, that there were none of our troops 



9 

between the White Oak Swamp and a line parallel 
with and but two hundred yards from the Williams- 
burg road. He had more than an hour before dis- 
covered this, and with sharpshooters concealed in the 
woods, to the left and rear of the redoubt and rifle- 
pits, they had killed many of our most valuable ofli- 
cers, had picked ofi" the cannoniers, and had killed 
from three to four horses out of every team attached 
to the 1st N. Y. Artillery, and, at the time of my 
return, had driven our men from the rifle-pits. No 
time was to be lost ; Fitch's battery was ordered to 
the rear. The battery under Lt. Hart was next or- 
dered to retire, but it was soon found that but one 
limber could be moved. I ordered the pieces to be 
spiked ; but after spiking the pieces in the redoubt, 
those on the outside of it were in the possession of 
the enemy. By way of precaution, I had ordered the 
prolongues to be fixed to the sections of Regan's bat- 
tery, still firing up the Williamsburg road, and ordered 
it to retire firing, until in the abattis that crosses the 
road. I then withdrew the 55th, under the protec- 
tion of its fire. This regiment had foiight most gal- 
lantly, suffered severely, and contributed much, in the 
end, towards saving Regan's battery from falling into 
the hands of the enemy. And then, the entire field 
in front of, and including the redoubt, was in pos- 
session of the enemy, who had pressed to within a 
few yards of us, it being necessary to support many 
of the wounded horses, to keep them from falling in 



10 

the traces. At 5.15 P. M., we brought the last sec- 
tions of Bailey's 1st N. Y. Artillery from the field, 
the air being at this time literally filled with iron and 
lead. Returning rapidly to my 56th N. Y., 11th 
Maine, and 52d Pa., my anticipations here were re- 
alized ; being successful in turning our left flank, the 
enemy had opened a most destructive cross fire upon 
them, from the pieces near the redoubt, that had not 
been spiked, and this, with the fire from their imme- 
diate front, was no longer to be endured, and they 
were withdrawn, and marched down the Nine Mile 
road, and placed in position, in rear of this road, 
about three hundred yards from the Seven Pines, 
where soon their services were required. In the 
meanwhile. Col. Neil, of the 23d Pa., had come upon 
the ground occupied by Col. Dodge, and induced him 
to advance in front, and to the right of the position 
that had been assigned to him, whilst he, Col. Neil, 
occupied that which the 5 2d Pa. vacated. But these 
dispositions were scarcely made, before the masses of 
the enemy broke through, and a few minutes sufficed 
to leave the half of Dodge's command upon the 
ground, and to force Neil precipitately from his posi- 
tion. 

The remaining portion of the 5 2d — for it was now 
reduced to a little over one hundred men^were con- 
ducted along the Nine Mile road to the Seven Pines, 
where, finding the rifle-pits occupied, they took posses- 
sion of a fence, and some outhouses, and did most 



11 

effective service. Afterwards, they crossed to the left 
of Couch's position, and advanced two hundred yards, 
into, and along the woods, to the left and front of the 
Seven Pines, where they remained actively employed, 
until near dark, when the enemy advancing rapidly 
in masses to the rear of the Nine Mile road, inclined 
towards the Williamsburg road, sweeping everything 
from the field, our forces making one general, simul- 
taneous movement to the rear, which did not stop 
until all had arrived at the line of defence, one mile 
in that direction. The 5 2d having their retreat cut 
off, escaped by passing through the woods to the left 
and rear, to the sawmill, at the White Oak Swamp, 
and thence to the line above referred to, where they 
rejoined their comrades of the 1st Brigade. Follow- 
ing down the Nine Mile road, after Dodge retired 
from his first position, about 500 yards from the inter- 
section of the Seven Pines, I found Col. J. Adams 
commanding the 1st Long Island, which was placed 
across the road, a portion of the right flank being in 
rear of it, with the left flank extending to the front 
and left. Advising Col. Adams of the rapid approach 
of the enemy — of the direction he was coming, and 
of the position of the 56th N. Y. and 104th Pa. on 
his left, he withdrew the left flank of the Long Island 
to the rear of the Nine Mile road, making a continu- 
ous line with the above, and the men were ordered to 
lie down, that they should escape the murderous fire 
that was incessantly pouring in from the front. 



12 

Scarcely was this done, before the 87th N. Y., Col. 
Stephen E. Dodge, of Kearney's Division, Heintzel- 
man's Corps, came along the Nine Mile road, with 
rapid step, cheering most vociferously, passed the 
56th N. Y., 104th Pennsylvania, and 1st Long Island 
about fifty yards, received a volley, broke, and passed 
the whole of them, running over the backs of those 
lying down, the latter remaining undisturbed until 
ordered to rise and meet the accumulated force that 
was bearing all before it. Volley after volley was 
given, and received. An order was given to charge, 
but one hundred yards brought us into such close 
proximity with the enemy, " that a sheet of fire was 
blazing in our faces." The ranks on both sides were 
rapidly thinning ; but still the great disparity in our 
numbers continued. So close were the contending 
forces, that our men in many instances, whilst at a 
charge, poured their fire into the breasts of the enemy, 
within a few feet from the points of their bayonets. 
This dreadful contest lasted until nearly dark. My 
56th and 104th suffered dreadfully, lost the greater 
part of their officers and men, and were compelled to 
give way, carrying their wounded with them. 

It was then, in the language of Lt. Haney, of the 
104th, "that I (Lt. Haney) and Lt. Ashenfelder and 
others led Capt. Corcoran, Capt. Swatzlander, and 
Lt. Hendric off the field. It was about half an hour 
before dark. We went down the Nine Mile road, 
and along the Williamsburg road. The fighting was 



13 

nearly over. Our troops were all retiring. We saw 
the enemy, not over seventy-five yards in our rear, 
and no troops between us and them. All of our 
forces were moving back, little regard being paid to 
brigade, regimental, or even company organization. 
Kearney's troops came, but did not stay long. Capt. 
Corcoran becoming continually weaker, we were com- 
pelled to carry him." 

Fully confirming the statements of my officers, I 
assert that I saw no running, and there was no panic, 
but all moved off" together, with a single purpose, and 
that one, to make a stand upon the line of defences, 
one mile in the rear, the only one of sufficient capa- 
city to enable us to defend ourselves against vastly 
superior numbers, until our reinforcements could be 
brought together. 

Company "I," Capt. Morrill, and Company "E," 
Lt. Sabine, of the 11th Maine, were on picket duty 
along the Garnett field, in front of which several rebel 
regiments marched about dark. Some of the men 
crawled into the wheat, and shot three of the field 
officers as they marched by. When Sedgwick crossed 
the Chickahominy, they immediately communicated 
with him, remained all night upon the picket line, 
with the enemy in their front and rear, and on Sun- 
day, at 9 A. M., came in, bringing more prisoners than 
the entire number of men in their ranks. 

Second Lt. E.ice, of the 11th Maine, was very sick, 
in the hospital, where there were a number of the 



14 

same regiment. After the fight grew warm, he ex- 
claimed: "Boys, every one of you that can hold up 
his head, follow me." More than twenty followed 
him. He shouldered a musket, and all joined their 
regiment, and fought most gallantly. Kice, after 
seventeen rounds, delivered with deadly effect, for he 
was an excellent shot, was severely wounded in the 
thigh, and was carried from the field. 

Company "E," 104th Pa., Capt. Harvey, Lt. Croll, 
and fifty-eight men, were extended on picket duty 
from the railroad to the corner, at the intersection of 
the Nine Mile road with the road to Garnett's house, 
when about 3 P. M. the enemy approached, but left 
them unmolested after firing some scattering shots, 
during which time we took thirteen prisoners. After 
5 P. M. the enemy again appeared in force along this 
entire line. With the assistance of their supports, he 
was held in check for nearly an hour, when, finding 
themselves surrounded, they were taken prisoners. 
Capt. Harvey was placed in charge of an ofiicer with 
five men, and was marching ofi", when a shell struck, 
and killed the officer ; the Captain taking advantage 
of the confusion, made his escape; four of the men 
following his example. 

On Saturday, Lt. Col. Hoyt, of the 52d Penna., 
was in charge of the Pioneers of the 1st Brigade, and 
two companies of the same Reg't, building a bridge 
which I had directed to be built across the Chicka- 
hominy. Remaining upon the ground, and informing 



15 

himself of the proceedings upon the extreme right, 
he rendered most valuable service by advising Gen. 
Sumner, as soon as he crossed the swamp, of the pre- 
cise position of our forces, and those of the enemy. 
After which, the enemy having pressed down be- 
tween the railroad and Gen. Sumner, Lt. Col. Hoyt, 
with the above, and some of the 100th N. Y. that 
were driven in from the picket lines, near the Chick- 
ahominy, remained with Gen. Sumner until Sunday, 
and behaved well. 

After leaving the battle-field, at dark, the Brigade, 
numbering over one thousand, was marched to the 
right rifle-pits of the rear defences, but vacated them 
at the request of Gen. Kearney, and occupied those 
on the left, with the other brigades of Casey's Divi- 
sion, where we remained under arms, in the rain, all 
night. 

I have shown in the history of the battle of the 
Seven Pines, the conduct of every one of the regi- 
ments of the 1st Brigade, from the time the first vol- 
ley was fired, at noon, until the enemy, having driven 
our troops from the ground, near dark, cut off the 
retreat of the 52d, by the Williamsburg road, and 
was still annoyed by its deadly fire. 

The list of casualties shows that there were taken 
into the action, 84 officers and 1669 men; and that 35 
officers and 603 men were killed, wounded, and taken 
prisoners, being 42 per cent, of the former, and 37 
per cent, of the latter. Of the ninety-three of the 



16 

11th Maine, that were led into the fight by Col. 
Plaisted, 52 were killed and wounded. 

The Brigade was among the last enlisted ; it had 
been reduced more than one-half by sickness ; that it 
fought well, none can deny, for it lost 638 of its 
number; bodies were found over every part of the 
field, and where these bodies lay, were found double 
the number of the enemy. 

The enemy, more generous than our friends, admit 
" that we fought most desperately, and against three 
entire divisions of his army, with two in reserve that, 
later in the day, were brought in." 

For Sh hours we contested every inch of ground 
with the enemy, and did not yield in that time the 
half of a mile. We fought from 12 M. until Sh P. 
M., with but little assistance, and until dark, with 
our comrades of other regiments and of other divi- 
sions, wherever we could be of service, and when, at 
dark, the enemy swept all before him, we were the 
last to leave the ground. 

I am most happy to refer to the kind treatment 
extended by the enemy to many of the wounded of 
the Brigade that were taken prisoners. 

Since the .battle of Seven Pines, now nearly three 
weeks, a force ten times that of Casey and Couch, 
has not been able to regain the line of outposts esta- 
blished by the 1st Brigade on the 26th of May; our 
present line being half a mile in rear thereof. 

None of the brigade, regimental, or company bag- 



17 

gage was lost. Some of the shelter tents, knapsacks, 
and blankets fell into the hands of the enemy, which 
was the natural consequence of being encamped in 
close proximity with the outposts. 

Conduct such as this, if it be not worthy of com- 
mendation, should not call forth censure, for censure 
undeserved chills the ardor and daring of the soldier, 
and dishonors both the living and the dead. 
Very respectfully, &c. 
XAGLEE, 

Brig. GenH. 
To Lieut. FOSTER, 

A. A. A. Gen'l, Casey's Division, Army of the Potomac. 



APPENDIX. 



THE BATTLE OF SEAMEN PINES. 
THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN CASEY. 

Headquarters Gen. Casey's Division, 

Poplar Hill, Henrico Co., Va., June, 1862. 

Captain: Iu obedience to directions from the General command- 
ing the Fourth Corps, I have the honor to submit the following 
report of the operations of my division in the battle of the Seven 
Pines, on the 31st ult. I occupied with my division the advanced 
position of the army, about three-fourths of a mile from the cross- 
roads at the Seven Pines, where I caused rifle-pits and a redoubt to 
be thrown up ; also an abattis to be commenced about one-third of 
a mile in front of the pits, and parties were employed upon these 
works on the morning of the 31st. 

Previously to occupying my last position I had occupied the 
cross-roads, and had there also caused an abattis to be cut and 
earthworks to be commenced. On the 29th, the day on which I 
moved my camp forward, and also on the 30th, my advanced pickets 
had been attacked by a body of the enemy on the former day by a 
force of three hundred, and on the next by one of four hundred in 
number. The pickets on the first day succeeded in driving the 
enemy back in confusion, killing and wounding a number, with a 
loss on my part of but two killed and two wounded. Major Kelly, 
of the Ninety-sixth Regiment New York Yolunteers, was one of my 
killed. The Major was in command of my pickets at this point, 
and by his gallant conduct animated the men to the firm resistance 




20 

offered. In the attack of the 30th I ordered the One Hundredth 
Regiment, New York "Volunteers, to move to the support of the 
pickets. With the assistance of this regiment, under the command 
of Col. Brown, they succeeded in repelling the attack, the enemy 
leaving six of his dead upon the ground. On the morning of the 
31st May, my pickets toward the right of my line succeeded in cap- 
turing Lieut. Washington, an Aid of Gen. Johnson, of the rebel 
service. This circumstance, in connection with the fact that Col. 
Hunt, my General Officer of the day, had reported to me that his 
outer pickets had heard cars running nearly all night on the Rich- 
mond end of the railroad, led me to exercise increased vigilance. 
Between 11 and 12 o'clock a mounted vidette was sent in from the 
advanced pickets, to report that a body of the enemy was in sight, 
approaching on the Richmond road. I immediately ordered the 
One Hundred and Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers to 
advance to the front for the purpose of supporting the pickets. It 
was soon afterward reported to me by a mounted vidette that the 
enemy were advancing in force; and about the same time two shells 
were thrown over my camp. I was led to believe that a serious 
attack was contemplated, and immediately ordered the Division 
under arms, the men at work on the abattis and rifle pits to be 
recalled and to join their regiments, the artillery to be harnessed up 
at once, and made my dispositions to repel the enemy. While these 
were in progress the pickets commenced firing. I directed Spratt's 
battery of four pieces, three inch rifle guns, to advance in front of 
the rifle pits, about one-fourth of a mile, in order to reply with 
advantage to the enemy's artillery, which I knew was in battery in 
front of my pickets' line, and also to shell the enemy as soon as 
the withdrawal of the pickets and their supports should permit. I 
supported this battery by the One Hundred and Fourth Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, the Eleventh Regiment Maine Volunteers, 
and the One Hundredth Regiment New York Volunteers, of the 
First Brigade, and the Ninety-second Regiment New York Volun- 
teers of the Third Brio-ade. 



21 

I placed Capt. Bate's Battery, commanded by Lieut. Hart, in the 
redoubt, Capt. Regan's Battery in rear and on the right of the rifle 
pits; Capt. Fitch's Battery in rear of the redoubt. The Eighty- 
fifth Regiment New Yorli Volunteers occupied the rifle pits on the 
left, and the Eighty -fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers those 
on the right. The One Hundred and First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers were posted on the right of these regiments, and the 
Eighty -first, Ninety-sixth and Ninety-eighth New 'York regiments 
were advanced to cover the left flank. For several days the Fifty- 
second Pennsylvania Volunteers had occupied a position on the 
Nine Mile road, a support to my advanced pickets on my right flank, 
and the Fifty-sixth regiment New York Volunteers had held a 
position on the railroad. I made no change in the position of these 
last two regiments. About fifteen minutes after these dispositions 
had been completed, I directed the advanced battery to open on the 
artillery and advancing column of the enemy. In a short time 
after, the One Hundred and Third Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, which at the first alarm had been ordered to the support of 
the pickets, came down the road in some confusion, having suffered 
considerable loss from the fire of the rebel advance. The enemy 
now attacked me in large force on the centre and both wings, and a 
brisk fire of musketry extended along the two opposing lines ; my 
artillery in the mean time throwing canister into their ranks with 
great effect. Perceiving, at length, that the enemy were threaten- 
ing me upon both wings, for want of reinforcements, which had 
been repeatedly asked for, and that his column still pressed on, I 
then, in order to save my artillery, ordered a charge of bayonets by 
the four supporting regiments of the centre, which was executed in 
a most gallant and successful manner, under the immediate direction 
of Brig. Gen. Naglee, commanding First Brigade, the enemy being 
driven back. 

When the charge had ceased, but not until the troops had reached 
the edge of the woods, the most terrible fire of musketry commenced 
that I have ever witnessed. The enemy again advanced in force. 



22 



and the flanks having been again severely threatened, a retreat to 
the works became necessary. To be brief, the rifle-pits were re- 
tained until they were almost enveloped by the enemy — the troops, 
with some exceptions, fighting with spirit and gallantry. The 
troops then retreated to the second line, in possession of Gen. 
Couch's Division. Two pieces of artillery were placed in the road 
between the two lines, which did good execution upon the advancing 
foe. 

On my arrival at the second line, I succeeded in rallying a por- 
tion of my division, and, with the assistance of Gen. Kearney, who 
had just arrived at the head of one of the brigades of his division, 
attempted to regain possession of my works, but it was found im- 
practicable. The troops of Gen. Couch's division were driven back, 
although reinforced by the corps of Gen. Heintzelman. The corps 
of Gens. Keyes and Heintzelman, having retreated to the third line, 
by direction of Gen. Heintzelman, I then collected together what 
remained of my division. 

The Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the Fifty-sixth 
Regiment New York Volunteers, were under the particular direc- 
tion of Brig. -Gen. Naglee, and I refer to his report for further 
mention of them. Gen. Naglee behaved with distinguished gal- 
lantry through the engagement, having a horse killed under him, 
and receiving four contused wounds from musket balls. Gens. 
Palmer and Wessels encouraged by their example their men to do 
their duty on the field. Gen. Wessels had a horse shot under him, 
and himself received a wound in the shoulder. Lieuts. West and 
Foster, my Aides-de-Camp, were active through the day, affording 
me much service and behaving gallantly. Capt. Davis, of the 
Provost Guard of my division, acted as my aide a portion of the 
time, rendering much assistance, and conducting himself in a gallant 
manner. I also feel much indebtedness to my medical director. Dr. 
Crosby, for the energy he evinced in collecting, and his promptness 
and skill in providing for the wounded. I have inclosed a list of 
the killed, wounded, and missing, as also the reports of the com- 



23 

manders of the brigades to winch I refer. I cannot forbear men- 
tion of the severe misfortunes suffered by the division and the 
service in the loss of Col. G. D. Bailey, my Chief of Artillery, who 
fell in the attempt to spike the pieces in my redoubt, which were 
necessarily abandoned. Col. Bailey was an oificer of thorough 
military education, of clear and accurate mind, cool, determined and 
intrepid in the discharge of his duty, and promising, with riper 
years, to honor still more the profession to which he was devoted. 

About the same time also fell Major Yan Yalkenburg, of the 
First Regiment New York Artillery, a brave, and discreet, and 
energetic oflScer. Under the circumstances, I think it my duty to 
add a few remarks with regard to my division. On leaving Wash- 
ington, eight of the regiments were composed of raw troops. It 
has been the misfortune of the division, marching through the 
Peninsula, to be subjected to an ordeal which would have severely 
tried veteran troops. Furnished with scanty transportation, occu- 
pying sickly positions, exposed to the inclemency of the weather, 
at times without tents or blankets ; illy supplied with rations and 
medical stores, the loss from sickness has been great, especially 
with the officers. Yet a party from my division took possession 
of the railroad bridge across the Chickahominy, driving the enemy 
from it, and my division took the advance on the 23d day of May, 
and, by an energetic reconnoissance, drove the enemy beyond the 
Seven Pines. Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, and the fact 
that there were not five thousand men in line of battle, they with- 
stood for three hours the attack of an overwhelming force of the 
enemy without the reinforcement of a single man at my first line. 
The Fifty-fifth Regiment New York Yolunteers reached my second 
line just before it was evacuated. If a portion of my division did 
not behave as well as could have been wished, it must be remem- 
bered to what a terrible ordeal they were subjected, still, those that 
behaved discreditably were exceptional cases. It is true that the 
division, after being nearly surrounded by the enemy and losing 
one-third of the number actually engaged, retreated to the second 



24 



line ; they would all have been prisoners of war had they delayed 
their retreat a few minutes longer. 

In my humble opinion, from what I witnessed on the 31st, I am 
convinced that the stubborn and desperate resistance of my division 
saved the army on the right bank of the Chickahominy from a 
severe repulse, which might have resulted in a disastrous defeat. 

The blood of the gallant dead would cry to me from the ground 
on which they fell fighting for their country, had I not said what I 
have to vindicate them from the unmerited aspersions which have 
been cast upon them. 

SILAS CASEY, 
Brigadier- General Gtmiinanding. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 701479 8 ^ 



pH8J 



